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November 2017
Permission sought for Leith cinema residential development

Permission sought for Leith cinema residential development

November 23 2017

Glencairn Properties have filed a bid to transform a B-listed former cinema in Leith into 36 apartments through its conversion and extension.

Situated on Great Junction Street the art-deco venue has fallen on hard times since its 1930’s heyday but will regain some of its lost glamour via an extensive programme of refurbishment, including demolition of a warehouse to make way for a five-storey extension and south facing courtyard.

Conceived by ISA this contemporary addition will include horizontal cantilevered balconies designed to mirror the curve of the Water of Leith while maximising onward views.

Elements of the historic cinema including its foyer and a setback upper floor offering enviable views of Arthur’s Seat.

Daryl Teague, director of Glencairn Properties, said: “We have tried to breathe life into the original building and respected many of the original art deco features with our design. The planning application has been submitted now and if successful we would estimate the development to commence late 2018. In the meantime, we have partnered with the Hidden Doors team and provided the building as a new arts venue for the Festival next year.”

Underground parking will also be provided.

A warehouse top the rear will be levelled to make way for a riverfront extension

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Sven on 23 Nov 2017 at 18:07 PM

I would rather that the building was razed and something truly attractive constructed to fill this prominent space in the urban realm. It has always been a poor example of art deco cinema (in fact it spent most of its life as a bingo hall) and the refurbishment is as mediocre as the original.